A source photo of a dog sitting next to the numbered outline that a kit company would produce from it
Paint-by-number once meant a store-bought scene and a rainy window. But now it’s changing as people are uploading a photo of a dog, a wedding, or a grandmother’s kitchen and getting a canvas back with their own picture mapped into numbered shapes. The global paint-by-number kit market was about USD 1.67 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow around 7.1% a year through 2034. This is reported in the Growth Market Report. The big part of the story is Custom Kits.
But it’s not as simple as it looks. A kit is only good for conversation because when you turn a sharp photo into 36 sensible colors, you will get a painting you’ll want to hang, but get blur in 12 different regions.
What to Look for in a Custom Photo Kit
Begin with the conversion step, because everything else depends on it. Some companies run your upload through software and print whatever comes out. Others have a person inspect the result and fix faces, eyes, and edges before anything is printed. Human review charges more or takes longer, but it’s the difference you’ll notice most on portraits and pets.
Next, look at color and detail. Kits with 24, 36, or 48 colors give very different results from a 12-color kit. More colors mean smoother shading and also smaller, fiddlier shapes. A beginner who chooses the highest detail level often quits halfway through.
Then check the practical things:
- Canvas and paint quality, covering whether paints arrive pre-mixed.
- Shipping origin and delivery time. A kit made abroad can take weeks.
- A guarantee or refill policy if the first result disappoints.
- Total price once shipping and any frame are added.
Finally, think about your own photo. A bright, well-lit shot with a plain background turns out much better than a dark phone snap taken across a crowded room. If you can retake the picture, do.
1. NumberArtist
The NumberArtist custom kit page, where customers upload a photo and choose a difficulty level
NumberArtist gets the top spot because it puts a person in the middle of the process. An in-house artist reviews each submitted photo and makes the design before it becomes a kit, which is exactly where algorithm-only services occur to slip. Faces keep their expression, pet eyes stay sharp, and cluttered backgrounds get simplified instead of turned into noise.
Say you want to turn a wedding photo editing into an anniversary gift. Sending it through a service that turns your photo to paint by number design automatically is a gamble, since veils, lace and faces in soft light are hard for software to isolate. With a reviewer checking the outline first, you’re less likely to open the box and find a bride with no face.
NumberArtist also provides three difficulty tiers: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. That matters more than it sounds. A first-timer can pick fewer, larger shapes and complete in a couple of evenings, while an experienced painter can ask for finer detail. If you’re buying for someone who has never held a brush, this is the one I’d choose.
2. Canvas by Numbers
The Canvas by Numbers custom paint-by-numbers kit page
Canvas by Numbers is a long-running name in the category. Its homepage says it’s loved by more than 200,000 painters and lists over 900 ready-made designs with the custom option, which begins at $39.95. It also sells framing and offers a paint refill guarantee, useful if a color runs out before you finish.
It’s a dependable pick for larger canvases. The tradeoff is that its range is broad, so the custom service is one product among many instead of the whole focus. Check current delivery estimates before ordering for a deadline.
3. MiiCreative
The MiiCreative Paint Your Own Photo product page
MiiCreative concentrates on photo kits. It provides 24, 36, and 48 color tiers, a linen-blend canvas, pre-mixed acrylic paints, and three brushes. The company advertises free worldwide shipping and a 30-day guarantee, and it displays a 4.8 rating from more than 10,000 painters.
The color tiers are the selling point. You can match the detail level to your skill, and the pre-mixed paints eliminates one of the most common frustrations for newcomers. It’s a solid option if you want a photo-first company without extras.
4. Paintly
The Paintly custom paint-by-numbers collection page
Paintly is the budget choice. Its standard custom kit starts at $19.95, and the site lists free shipping and a 4.7 rating across 910 reviews. For a gift you’re unsure about, or a first experiment with the hobby, that low entry price is worthy.
Expect to pay more as you add size or detail, so compare the final total instead of the headline number. It’s a good way to test whether you enjoy the process before spending on a larger canvas.
5. Paint Me Like
The Paint Me Like paint-by-number generator page
Paint Me Like is useful for a little different reason. It offers a free generator that turns a photo into a printable template, so you can see how your picture turns before paying for anything. It also sells printed canvases.
That makes it a good first stop if you’re unsure whether your photo is good enough. A picture that looks messy in a free preview will look messy on canvas as well, and it’s better to learn that for free.
6. Paint Your Numbers
The Paint Your Numbers homepage
Paint Your Numbers says it has offered more than 125,000 customers, a self-reported figure. Alongside custom paint-by-numbers, it also sells diamond painting kits, so it suits crafters who like to change between hobbies.
The wider catalog is a plus if you want a second project, though a company that spreads across different crafts may offer less specialist guidance on photo preparation. Read the product page closely before uploading.
7. Personalize Everything
The Personalize Everything personalized paint-by-numbers canvas page
Personalize Everything offers more than 100,000 customers and leans toward gifting, with personalization across many product types. Its paint-by-numbers canvas fits organically into birthday, holiday and memorial gifts.
If you’re already shopping for various personalized items, ordering them in one place is convenient. For a serious painter who cares most about conversion quality, the more specialized options above are a better match.
How to Choose
Select by priority. If you care most about faces and fine detail, choose a company where a person reviews the file, which points to NumberArtist. If price matters most, begin with Paintly. If you’re unsure your photo will work, run it through the Paint Me Like generator first. And if you want clear color tiers and free shipping, MiiCreative is difficult to beat.
Whatever you pick, the file you upload does most of the work. Low-resolution images stretched onto a big canvas lose value that no conversion can bring back, so resolution against print size deserves a quick check before you order. A 16×20 canvas requires a far larger original than a small 8×10 one. Shoot in daylight, keep the subject sharp and the background plain, and crop tightly on the faces that is important.
Before uploading your image, it’s important to make sure the original is sharp, well-lit and free of distracting background details. If your photo needs a little preparation, PixelsClipping’s photo editing services can help you prepare product and portrait images with cleaner edges and more consistent presentation before converting them into a paint-by-numbers design.
Final Thoughts
Custom kits are easy to buy and surprisingly difficult to get right. The companies above all make the process simple, but they vary in who touches your photo and how much control you get over the finished design. Decide how much detail you really want to paint, pick a photo worth the effort, and the rest is a few quiet evenings with a brush.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best custom paint by number company?
Ans: The best custom paint by number company is Canvas by Number.
Q2. What type of paint is best for paint by numbers?
Ans: Acrylic paint is best for paint by numbers.
Q3. Which is the best brand of paints?
Ans: Asian paints is considered best brand of paints.
